April 25, 2017 – As most of you know, Assemblymember Richard Bloom is championing mountain lions with Assembly Bill 8, that seeks greater flexibility for responding to situations where mountain lions have preyed on pets and livestock. Since AB 8 was first introduced last December, Mr. Bloom has continued to work closely with the expert leadership at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to develop potential amendments to the legislation.
Yesterday, in an exciting and positive turn of events, the CDFW committed to addressing growing concerns about the human contributions to wildlife conflict. CDFW has pledged to spend the next 60 to 90 days to explore the breadth and depth of their current authority to more effectively resolve such conflicts. Read Director Bonham’s letter.
This commitment by the Department places those of us who value California mountain lions right where we would have been had we passed this legislation: commencing a public process to explore the nature and characteristics of a variety of conflicts, assess the need for change, and determine the variety of tools that are available to CDFW to most effectively address specific situations. Read Assemblymember Bloom’s response to MLF.
We applaud CDFW Director Charlton Bonham for taking the time to carefully consider options as California’s human population continues to expand into wildlife habitat, and herald Assemblymember Bloom for giving substantive voice to the worries of many Californians over the growing loss of wildlife habitat, genetic isolation of animal populations, and losses to depredation and road kills, rodenticides, and other threats to our native species.
Given CDFW’s commitment, Assemblymember Bloom opted to pull AB 8 from today’s scheduled hearing in the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee, and will hold the bill in abeyance until the inquiry by the Department is completed. Because we are in the first year of a two-year session, AB 8 may be revisited should CDFW find that their current latitude is not sufficient for conservation of the mountain lions protected in their trust under existing statute.
To those of you who so graciously took the time to express your support, thank you! Your overwhelming response continues to be valuable and persuasive. We will be turning to you again to assess your specific needs and concerns as we move forward. Your voice will be needed!
We hope that you will all take a moment to celebrate this evidence that communication, collaboration and caring can still nurture change, and that you will express your gratitude to both Director Bonham and Assemblymember Bloom.
The Mountain Lion Foundation is a national organization protecting mountain lions and their habitat. www.mountainlion.org